Toy Figurine and Method of Manufacturing a Toy Figurine

ABSTRACT

A toy figurine comprising a surface portion in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions. Each square portion has a side length of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm, a planar centre portion, and a perimeter portion surrounding the centre portion. The perimeter portion is a chamfer extending away and below the centre portion. The chamfer has a horizontal width from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the centre portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to toy figurines and methods of manufacturing toy figurines.

BACKGROUND ART

Toy figurines have taken many forms and have been made of many materials over the ages. To enhance their attractiveness and collectability, toy manufacturers seek to produce toy figurines with distinguishable, striking, and memorable aesthetics.

Toy figurines can also be sold in collectible ranges in which multiple figurines are released. The multiple figurines in such collectible ranges are typically linked in some manner. For example, the multiple figurines can be linked with a common theme, such as depicting characters in a movie or story, or by being of a particular type of thing, such as animals, food, or transportation vehicles. Multiple figurines in a range can also be linked by common design features or a common aesthetic.

One prevailing problem for manufacturers of toy figurines is to design toy figurines that stand out from other toy figurines, and thereby to attract more patronage and sales.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem Solution to Problem Technical Solution

Embodiments of the present invention in a first aspect provide a toy figurine comprising a surface portion in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions wherein each square portion has:

a side length of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm;

a planar centre portion; and

a perimeter portion surrounding the centre portion, the perimeter portion being a chamfer extending away and below the centre portion, the chamfer having a horizontal width from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the centre portion.

Embodiments of the present invention in a second aspect provide a mould for manufacturing a toy figurine, the mould having a moulding surface comprising a surface portion in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions wherein each square portion has:

a side length of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm;

a planar centre portion; and

a perimeter portion surrounding the centre portion, the perimeter portion being a chamfer extending away and above the centre portion, the chamfer having a horizontal width from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the centre portion.

Embodiments of the present invention in a third aspect provide a method of manufacturing a toy figurine, the method comprising forming a toy figurine with a surface portion in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions wherein each square portion is formed with:

a side length of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm;

a planar centre portion; and

a perimeter portion surrounding the centre portion, the perimeter portion being a chamfer extending away and below the centre portion, the chamfer having a horizontal width from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the centre portion.

Other features and embodiments of the present invention can be found in the appended claims.

Throughout this specification, including the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and other like terms are to be construed in an inclusive sense, that is, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”, and not in an exclusive or exhaustive sense, unless explicitly stated otherwise or the context clearly requires otherwise.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Description of Drawings

Preferred embodiments in accordance with the best mode of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which the same reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the figures unless otherwise specified, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a hamburger;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a packet of french fries;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a hotdog;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a slice of pizza;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a lollipop;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a slice of cake;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a gingerbread man;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a popsicle (block of ice cream on a stick);

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a fire extinguisher;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in which the toy figurine resembles a tamago egg sushi;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a square portion of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 12 is a top view of a square portion of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 13 is a top view of a square portion of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a square portion of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 15 is a top view of two adjacent square portions of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 16 is a top view of two adjacent square portions of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 17 is a top view of two adjacent square portions of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 18 is a top view of two adjacent square portions of a surface portion of a toy figurine not in accordance with the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cube formed by adjacent square portions of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cube formed by adjacent square portions of a surface portion of a toy figurine not in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a surface portion of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a surface portion of a toy figurine not in accordance with the present invention, showing dimensions in millimetres;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, together with a perspective view of an individual cube formed by adjacent square portions of a surface portion of the toy figurine;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a toy figurine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, together with a perspective view of an individual cube formed by adjacent square portions of a surface portion of the toy figurine;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a toy figurine not in accordance with the present invention, together with a perspective view of an individual cube formed by adjacent square portions of a surface portion of the toy figurine; and

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a toy figurine not in accordance with the present invention, together with a perspective view of an individual cube formed by adjacent square portions of a surface portion of the toy figurine.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Best Mode

With reference to the figures, there is provided a toy figurine 1 comprising a surface portion 2 in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions 3. Each square portion 3 has a side length 4 of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm, a planar centre portion 5, and a perimeter portion 6 surrounding the centre portion. The perimeter portion 6 is a chamfer extending away and below the centre portion 5. The chamfer has a horizontal width 6 w from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the centre portion 5.

The surface portion 2 typically extends over an entire surface of the toy figurine 1. In some cases, the surface portion 2 extends over an entire surface of the toy figurine 1 with the exception of a base portion. The toy figurine 1 is typically 3-dimensional and the surface portion 2 is 3-dimensional. Each centre portion 5 is parallel or perpendicular to an adjacent centre portion 5. It is preferred that the chamfer forming the perimeter portion 6 has a vertical depth equal to the horizontal width 6 w and extending vertically below the centre portion 5.

As a result of the features above, the toy figurine 1 resembles being comprised of a plurality of cubes 7. The toy figurines 1 according to embodiments of the present invention can be said to be formed of cubic pixels, that is, the cubes 7. It is to be noted that the definition of “each centre portion 5 being parallel or perpendicular to an adjacent centre portion 5” includes describing a single cubic pixel 7. The resulting pixelated aesthetic of these toy figurines of the invention are reminiscent of the 8-bit graphics prevalent in video games produced in the 1980 s and around that time.

Importantly, it was found unexpectedly and surprisingly that the dimensions defined above were particularly optimal in expressing this pixelated aesthetic in which the toy figurine 1 appears to be made up of cubic pixels 7. In particular, having the side length 4 for each square portion 3 limited from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm, and having the horizontal width 6 w of the chamfer of the perimeter portion 6 limited from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm was found to be crucial in producing this pixelated aesthetic. If, for example, the horizontal width of the chamfer was made larger than 0.3 mm, the pixelated aesthetic would not be adequately discernible. One looking at the toy figurine would not be able to see the cubic pixels described above. See, for example, FIGS. 18, 20, and 23 where the horizontal width of the chamfer is 0.4 mm. FIGS. 26 and 27 show toy figurines in which the horizontal width of the chamfer is 0.4 mm. In FIG. 26 , the side length for each square portion is 2.0 mm, and in FIG. 27 , the side length for each square portion is 1.5 mm. As can be seen, the toy figurine does not appear to be made up of cubic pixels. By contrast, FIGS. 24 and 25 show embodiments of the present invention in which the horizontal width 6 w of the chamfer is 0.2 mm, with the side length 4 for each square portion 3 in FIG. 24 being 2.0 mm, and in FIG. 25 , being 1.5 mm. It is easy to see that the toy figurines 1 of FIGS. 24 and 25 comprise cubic pixels and possess the pixelated aesthetic described above.

It is noted that in some of the embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the cubic pixels 7 overlap an adjacent cubic pixel 7. That is to say, one cubic pixel 7 can be adjacent another cubic pixel 7 but not aligned. For example, in FIG. 7 , the buttons B on the gingerbread man 1 are each cubic pixels 7 that lie on top of another layer of cubic pixels 7, but each button B is offset from the cubic pixels below such that each button lies on top of four cubic pixels underneath. In some embodiments, the cubic pixels 7 are partial cubes. For example, in FIG. 7 , each cubic pixel 7 forming a button B on the gingerbread man is a partial cube, and in particular, a cube that has been shortened vertically whereby the top surface of the cube still has the square portion 3 (with a side length 4 of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm, and a perimeter portion 6 in the form of a chamfer having a horizontal width 6 w from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm).

The toy figurine 1 is formed by moulding one or more of the following materials: polypropylene; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; thermoplastic rubber; thermoplastic elastomer; metal. For example, when the toy figurine 1 is moulded from a plastics material, processes such as injection moulding, blow moulding, or compression moulding can be used. When the toy figurine 1 is moulded from a metal, processes such as metal die-casting, investment casting, or pressure casting can be used.

It was also found that the dimensions defined above for the square portions 3 and the chamfered perimeter portions 6 provided some unexpected and surprising manufacturing advantages. For example, as discussed above, to maintain the desired pixelated aesthetic, a perimeter portion 6 in the form of a chamfer having a horizontal width 6 w from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm is required. If the horizontal width were increased, then the side length 4 would need to be increased above the range defined to maintain the pixelated aesthetic. This would in turn increase the overall size of the toy figurine 1 and the amount of material from which the toy figurine 1 is formed. It has been found that 8 to 10 toy figurines 1 can be accommodated in a standard mould. This is an efficient and easily workable number. Increasing the dimensions beyond those defined above for the square portions 3 and the chamfered perimeter portions 6 would reduce the number of toy figurines 1 that can fit within one mould, and therefore, increase the number of moulds required. This would also increase the amount of material wasted during the moulding process. Decreasing the dimensions below those defined above for the square portions 3 and the chamfered perimeter portions 6 would result in toy figurines 1 that do not have the desired pixelated aesthetic.

The pixelated aesthetic resulting from the features of the toy figurine 1 described above provides a toy figurine 1 that has a striking and memorable appearance which makes it highly distinguishable from other toy figurines, and attractive and collectible for consumers.

According to embodiments of another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mould for manufacturing a toy figurine 1. The mould has a moulding surface comprising a surface portion in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions. Each square portion has a side length of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm, a planar centre portion, and a perimeter portion surrounding the centre portion. The perimeter portion is a chamfer extending away and above the centre portion. The chamfer has a horizontal width from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the centre portion.

Other embodiments and features of the mould are clear from the foregoing description in relation to the toy figurine 1.

According to embodiments of a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a toy figurine 1. The method comprises forming a toy figurine 1 with a surface portion 2 in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions 3. Each square portion 3 has a side length 4 of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm, a planar centre portion 5, and a perimeter portion 6 surrounding the centre portion 5. The perimeter portion 6 is a chamfer extending away and below the centre portion 5. The chamfer has a horizontal width 6 w from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the centre portion 5.

Other embodiments and features of the method are clear from the foregoing description in relation to the toy figurine 1.

It is appreciated that the aforesaid embodiments are only exemplary embodiments adopted to describe the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not merely limited thereto. Various variants and modifications can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these variants and modifications are also covered within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in many other forms. It is also appreciated by those skilled in the art that the features of the various examples described can be combined in other combinations. 

1. A toy figurine comprising a surface portion in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions wherein each square portion has: a side length of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm; a planar center portion; and a perimeter portion surrounding the center portion, the perimeter portion being a chamfer extending away and below the center portion, the chamfer having a horizontal width from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the center portion.
 2. A toy figurine according to claim 1 wherein the chamfer has a vertical depth equal to the horizontal width and extending vertically below the center portion.
 3. A toy figurine according to claim 1 wherein the surface portion extends over an entire surface of the toy figurine.
 4. A toy figurine according to claim 1 wherein the surface portion extends over an entire surface of the toy figurine with the exception of a base portion.
 5. A toy figurine according to claim 1 wherein the toy figurine is 3-dimensional and the surface portion is 3-dimensional.
 6. A toy figurine according to claim 5 wherein each center portion is parallel or perpendicular to an adjacent center portion.
 7. A toy figurine according to claim 1 wherein the toy figurine resembles being comprised of a plurality of cubes.
 8. A toy figurine according to claim 1 wherein the toy figurine is formed by molding a material selected from a group consisting of: polypropylene; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; thermoplastic rubber; thermoplastic elastomer; metal; and combinations thereof.
 9. A mold for manufacturing a toy figurine, the mold having a molding surface comprising a surface portion in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions wherein each square portion has: a side length of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm; a planar center portion; and a perimeter portion surrounding the center portion, the perimeter portion being a chamfer extending away and above the center portion, the chamfer having a horizontal width from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the center portion.
 10. A method of manufacturing a toy figurine, the method comprising forming a toy figurine with a surface portion in the form of a plurality of adjacent square portions wherein each square portion is formed with: a side length of from about 1.5 mm to about 2.0 mm; a planar center portion; and a perimeter portion surrounding the center portion, the perimeter portion being a chamfer extending away and below the center portion, the chamfer having a horizontal width from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm extending horizontally away from the center portion. 